Scottsdale is abuzz with festive events this holiday season.
Between now and the end of December, families can immerse themselves in winter wonderlands, walk through holiday light displays and visit Santa Claus — even underwater.
Sip hot cocoa around a fire table or in an igloo at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, ice skate at one of the Valley rinks or study dinosaurs at Jurassic Winter Wonderland.
There are free and ticketed events on weekdays and weekends, plus activities for children and adult alike. For ticketed events, be sure to book ahead: winter festivities are popular in the Phoenix area and fill fast.
Here’s what you need to know.
See Santa underwater and Jurassic Winter Wonderland at Arizona Boardwalk
The Arizona Boardwalk near Scottsdale offers several holiday activities this month:
OdySea Aquarium will host “Winter Waterland,” featuring an underwater Santa appearance, a holiday VR experience, “festive holiday ride-thru experience” and letter writing to Santa.
Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs will host Jurassic Winter Wonderland.
Here’s how much it costs to these events:
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Combo tickets for access to both OdySea and Pangaea are $61.11 for for children 13+ and adults, and $62.01 for children 2 to 12.
Holiday ice rinks 2024: Here’s where to skate outdoors in metro Phoenix
Have fun at Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza
Old Town Scottsdale is lit up with “dazzling” holiday lights. Walk around and participate in a slew of fun activities and events during December.
There are holiday drinks, live entertainment and “Santa at the Farmer’s Market.”
Parking in Old Town is free; there are only time limitations.
Visit Scottsdazzle.com for more information.
More: Farmers markets in metro Phoenix: A guide to hours, locations and offerings
Drink boozy holiday drinks at JoJo’s ShakeBAR
JoJo’s ShakeBAR at the Scottsdale Quarter has transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” for the holiday season. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a Winter Wonderland boozy peppermint milkshake, topped with a Christmas tree cookie, a present-shaped marshmallow, mini candy cane and a donut hole snowman. Other drink options include the “Santa’s Sangria” cocktail served in a stocking mug, boozy hot chocolates and a Christmas margarita tree.
15037 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite J150, Scottsdale. 520-636-5572, jojosshakebar.com/winterwonderland.
More: Get in the Christmas spirit at festive pop-up bars in Phoenix and Scottsdale
Experience Christmas at the Princess
With 10 million lights, 128 fire tables and igloos, and a 120-foot-tall Ferris wheel, Christmas at the Princess is a “snow-laden winter wonderland,” the resort boasts.
Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Hours extend to 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily starting Dec. 18.
General admission tickets are $35 per person, plus individual activities cost more.
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Ice skating passes: $35 per person.
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Hour-long private Santa experience: $500.
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Aurora Ice: $20 per person.
Parking costs $35 per car for self parking; valet costs $120 per car.
For more information, visit Christmasattheprincess.com.
Christmas lights 2024: Use our Phoenix-area holiday map to see the best displays
Drive around and view the best holiday lights
An annual drive to look at over-the-top holiday lights is a tradition for many families in greater Phoenix. The Arizona Republic rounds up the best lights displays in metro Phoenix.
Check out the list to find displays in your area.
Get out of town at the Flagstaff North Pole Experience
Sick of Phoenix and want a change of scenery? Visit the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff.
It starts with a trolley ride at Little America Hotel, whisking you through a magic portal to the North Pole.
From there take a tour of the big man’s workshop and visit Elf University, the mailroom and Sleigh Hangar. Enjoy some of Mrs. Claus’ fresh-baked goods, and spend some personal time with Santa. Each child receives a 2024 heirloom teddy bear.
Prices vary from $52-76. For more information, visit northpoleexperience.com.
Republic reporters and contributors Endia Fontanez, Wendy Killeen and Roger Naylor contributed to this story.
Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Christmas in Scottsdale: 6 holiday things to do